Ofcom proposes first come first served spectrum sale

We'll never run out of this stuff

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Ofcom has detailed its plans to sell off two spectrum bands for fixed wireless broadband services in the UK.

Rather than auction off the 71-76GHz and 81-86GHz bands, the regulator proposes to offload them on a first come first served basis.

Neither are in use right now, but Ofcom reckons they could do very nicely for applications such as “very high capacity, point to point, wireless networks” running at 1Gbps to 10Gbps over distances of one to two kilometres.

It is proposing “light touch” licensing with the first come first served offer as the bands' “high band width, narrow beam” nature mean large numbers of users can coexist without interference meaning supply is unlikely to ever exceed demand.

Mmm, that kind of certainty on supply and demand always makes us nervous. Afterall, a few years ago you might have said the same about water in the permanently soggy British Isles. Whatever, the consultation runs till August 1, and you can find more details here. ®